A Vibrant Capital City by the Sea
8 reasons to visit Halifax this summer
Photos by Eva Fydrych and courtesy of Destinations Halifax (4)
Halifax, Atlantic Canada’s entertainment capital, is a vibrant urban centre resting on the edge of nature. Life here revolves around the sea as Halifax is located on the second largest natural harbour in the world. Dozens of beaches, lakes, parks and trails are waiting for you within minutes of downtown.
Halifax is a multicultural city, with thriving art, theatre, and music communities. It is a year-round destination with great outdoor activities and a friendly, laid-back atmosphere.
Fashion Studio Magazine spent four wonderful days in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in the beginning of June. Discovering the trendy side of the city and getting familiar with its mouth-watering cuisine was a lot of fun. The trip was an excellent reminder that travelling to new destinations always brings some unexpected discoveries and that sometimes ‘lesser-known’ is better.
Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine
Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine
Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine
Cut Steakhouse (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)
American Apparel (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)
While visiting the bustling metropolis such as New York or Hong Kong is always very exciting, those cities can drain your energy and make you feel tired after a couple of days. With Halifax the effect is quite opposite - its peaceful atmosphere and emphasis on high quality, balanced life will leave you feeling recharged and energised for a long time (great food, clean air, gorgeous location by the sea, and numerous wellness centres definitely help!).
Have a look at our 8 reasons why you should visit the vibrant capital of Nova Scotia right now.
1. Outdoor Activities
Halifax Harbourwalk
Walking the boardwalk along the waterfront is one of the tourist attractions that every first time visitor should not miss. The path starts from the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in the south and ends at Casino Nova Scotia in the north. It will take you past historic sites, shops, bars, restaurants, and various attractions (beach volleyball anyone?).
Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine
Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine
Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine
Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine
If you are looking for fun outdoor activities, there is plenty to choose from: Segway Nova Scotia offers tours of the waterfront and surrounding areas, Kayak Halifax has a signature lighthouse kayak tour, and Halifax Adventures & Tours specialises in interactive treasure hunts, biking, island adventures, and brewery tours.
The waterfront always bustles with events and activities. For the latest happenings, visit destinationhalifax.com.
Parks & Gardens
Halifax Public Gardens (open from May to November) feature duck ponds, fountains, 140 different species of trees, and Victorian flowerbeds. On summer Sunday afternoons you can listen to live music at the bandstand. It is a wonderful place to unwind and relax.
"Officially opened in 1867, The Halifax Public Gardens have retained much of their original Victorian character thanks to a series of talented superintendents, chief horticulturists, and gardeners. Through their efforts, the Public Gardens were designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1984." - The Friends of the Public Gardens
Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine
2. Dining
Halifax is full of surprises and the dining scene is no exception. “Nova Scotia has developed into a really authentic culinary destination,” says Janice Ruddock, executive director of Taste of Nova Scotia, a member-based organisation that champions food and drink from the province. “It’s happened in a natural way, building on our heritage and local ingredients.”
Recommended Restaurants:
Cut Steakhouse (5120 Salter St.) www.cutsteakhouse.ca
High-end steakhouse serving dry-aged (35 days) USDA Prime Beef. Open daily for dinner. Winner of Wine Spectator Award of Excellence yearly since opening. Excellent customer service and trendy design.
Cut Steakhouse (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)
Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine
Cut Steakhouse (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)
Northern Italian menu: fresh seafood, pasta, veal, steak, lamb, and duck. Seasonal patio. Extensive wine cellar.
The Great Wall (1649 Bedford Row) www.thegreatwall.ca
Voted the Best Chinese Food and Best Dim Sum since 1999. Friendly service and generous portions.
Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine
Café Chianti (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)
Café Chianti (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)
The Great Wall (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)
Local Artisans & Local Flavours
Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market, nestled inside a unique, environmentally friendly building, is one of the main attractions on the Halifax Waterfront. The market gets busy every weekend with local chefs presenting the best of Nova Scotia’s culinary offerings. Don’t miss this place if you want to sample fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, boutique wines, and tasty baked goods.
Coffee Shops
One thing that really grabbed our attention was the amount of independent coffee shops in the city. What could be better than enjoying a lazy afternoon with a cup of your favourite latte or cappuccino?
DID YOU KNOW?
The city features a rich culinary scene with more than 750 restaurants and bars.
Eva Fydrych dining at Café Chianti
3. History
“Thanks to the fact that the city has been around for a while, there are some pretty fun sites to check out. Not to be missed is the Halifax Citadel, a fortress at the centre of the city, as well as the newly renovated Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, and the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, which features exhibits from the sinking of the Titanic and the Halifax Explosion!” - Destination Halifax
The Old Town Clock, located at the base of Citadel Hill, has watched over the city since 1803. It was manufactured to keep the garrison and townspeople punctual. The site offers a nice downtown view and is a popular location for taking photos.
Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine
4. Shopping
“For big names in fashion, there’s only one place to go" - Halifax Shopping Centre features over 170 fashionable shops and services and is located just a ten-minute drive from downtown Halifax. You can find international brands such as Michael Kors, Coach, Sephora, MAC Cosmetics, Birks, Browns, Club Monaco, Gap, American Eagle, and more.
USEFUL TIP
Present out-of-town ID at Guest Services and get free $5 Gift Card!
Spring Garden Road
Spring Garden Area is the retail heart of Halifax. You will be spoilt for choice with nine city blocks featuring over 200 retail shops including Aigle, Mills Brothers, Foreign Affair, Woozles Children’s Books, P’lovers, Sweet Janes, Jennifer’s of Nova Scotia, Bookmark, HMV, Kick Ass Shoes, Soled Out Sneaker Boutique, Cucina Moderna, Backyard & Veranda, Thornbloom: The Inspired Home, and so much more.
American Apparel (Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine)
Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine
Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine
GETTING THERE
Halifax Robert L. Stanfield International Airport is 35km / 22 miles from downtown Halifax on Highway 102.
Porter Airlines flies to Halifax from 9 different destinations including Toronto, New York, Boston, and Chicago.
Eva Fydrych flying with Porter Airlines from Toronto to Halifax
Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine
Photo by Eva Fydrych / Fashion Studio Magazine
Would you like to know more?
Part two coming soon! :)
______________________________________________________________________
*Special thank you to Destination Halifax & Westin Nova Scotian for hosting Fashion Studio Magazine in June 2016.
Back To Top
No comments:
Post a Comment